Biosecurity Smuggling Deterrence Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced
Summary
Imposes harsh mandatory prison terms for smuggling or lying about biological agents. This bill would set long minimum sentences to deter trafficking, false paperwork, and attempted importation of biological agents or toxins.
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- People who conspire to smuggle biological agents or attempt to smuggle them would face a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison for those offenses.
- Anyone who makes a false statement, conceals information, or files a false document tied to smuggling, importation, declarations, or permit applications for biological agents would face a mandatory minimum of 5 years under the false-statements statute.
- The smuggling statute would be amended to add a 20-year mandatory minimum for smuggling or attempted smuggling of biological agents, reorganize related text, and set rules for evidence and forfeiture. The bill ties covered substances to the statute's defined term for "biological agent or toxin" and would apply to offenses committed on or after enactment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Tougher prison terms for biological smuggling
If enacted, this bill would create new mandatory minimum prison terms for federal crimes involving biological agents or toxins. It would require at least 20 years for smuggling, attempted smuggling, or conspiracies whose object is that smuggling. It would require at least 5 years for false statements or concealment about importing or seeking federal permission for such agents. The bill would apply these minimums regardless of other laws and to offenses committed on or after enactment. The bill would use the definition of "biological agent or toxin" found in section 178.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
AR • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov